Alfred wiggins



(No Model.)

A. WIGGINS.

TOY.

N0. 472,722. Patented Apr. 12, 1892.

min: 55 E s 7 UNITED- STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ALFRED \VIGGINS, OF WORCESTER, MASSACHUSETTS.

TOY.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 472,722, dated April12, 18 92.

Application filed June 15, 1891 Serial No. 396,302. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, ALFRED Wrccms, of the city and county of Worcesterand State of Massachusetts, have invented certain new and usefulImprovements in Toys; and I do hereby declare that the following is afull, clear, and exact description thereof, reference being had to theaccompanying drawings, forminga part of this specification, and in whichFigure 1 represents a front view of my said improved toy. Fig. 2 is aside or edge View thereof with a part of the handle broken off. Fig. 3is a plan View; and Fig. 4 is a similar View to Fig.1 on a smallerscale, showing how the color effects may be produced on the disk by theoperation thereof, as will be hereinafter more fully described. V

The object of this invention is to produce by means of arapidly-rotating disk carrying a series of different-colored blade@ ofvarious shapes and fitted loosely in front of said disk upon the axisthereof a continuous series of automatic color changes upon the face ofsaid disk, the principle of which is applicable as a toy for amusementor as a means of advertising, show, or attraction.

To enable others to better understand the nature and purpose of saidinvention, I will now proceed to describe it more in detail, withreference to the accompanyingdrawings and letters of reference thereon.

The invention consists of a disk A, preferably of card-board, fixed toan axis or spindle B, passing centrally through said disk and projectingbeyond the front face thereof, so as to form a central pin or pivot forthe color-blades C (also preferably of card-board) to turn upon. Thatpart of the axis or spindle coming back of the disk is sufficiently longto pass through suitable bearings D D and also to carry the small wheelE. These bearings are attached to or form a part of the supporting frameor handle F in such manner that power applied to the axis or spindlewill cause the disk to rapidly rotate. The rotation of said disk may beeffected by hand by means of alarge driving-wheel G, which is fixed to aspindle also fitted to turn in suitable bearings on the frame or handleF, connection being made from said large drive-wheel to the small wheelE by means of a suitable belt H, passed around the same. The drive-wheelis provided with a suitable handle G, whereby it may be turned by hand,the same being pivoted to the wheel, so that it may be swung in againstsaid wheel out of the way when not in use, as shown by dotted lines inFig. 3, and out at right angles, as shown by full lines, to turn thewheel. Although I have shown the drive-wheel as being turned by hand,Ido not limit'myself thereto, as power may be applied in any well-knownway to effect the same result either by connection with the axis orspindle of the disk or the other driving parts.

The color changes before alluded to are produced by making the faces ofthe series of blades on the disk of various different colors, the outerblade 0' being preferably black, as I find in practice the best resultis thereby produced. The various color-blades are fitted to freely turnon the axis or spindle B, as previously stated, and are each separatedone from another, so as to avoid friction and thus turn more easily, bymeans of suitable washers C interposed between said blades, as is shownin Figs. 2 and 3. .To effect the best result, a certain pressure must beapplied to the color-blades. This may be done by means of a spiralspring I, fitted over the spindle between the outer blade anda stop I,preferably of leather, which fits upon the spindle sufficiently tight tohold it from slipping thereon from the pressure of the spring and yet beeasily moved forward or back by hand to produce the desired pressureagainst the color blades or cards. In lieu of the spiral spring, rubberor any other equivalent may be used to produce the same result, and anysuitable stop may be used on the spindle without departing from theprinciple of my invention. During rotation the color blades or cardsgradually change and assume new positions, thus forming by theintermingling of the various colors a continuous variety and combinationof color changes in circles, as indicated in Fig. 4, very beautifulkaleidoscopic effects being produced when the device is rotated at ahigh rate of speed. It is advantageous to inclose the disk and itscolor-blades, especially when of a large size, in a case (not shown)having 1. The combination of the disk A, colorblades 0 G, and axis orspindle B with the separating-washers C interposed between each of saidcolor blades or cards, the adjustable stop J onspindle B, and spiralspring I or its equivalent, interposed betwe'en said step and thecolor-blades, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

2. The disk A, color-blades 0", axis or spindle B, theseparating-washers 0 between said color-blades, adjustable stop J, andspring I,

, said washers, stop, and spring being fitted on said axis or spindle,in combination with the drive-wheels G E, belt H, fittedthereover,operating-han dle G, and the frame or support F, substantiallyas and for the purpose set forth.

ALFRED WIGGINS. Witnesses: I

A. A. BARKER, WALTER B.- NOURSE.

